shelbyaye's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
flufficorn's review against another edition
4.0
I am a person that knows next to nothing about the real Fitzgerlads, so going in, I had nothing to compare this book to. Now that I have finished it, I am interested to learn more about Zelda. Scott seems somewhat interesting, but if the characteristics of him in this book are even half true, I've dated enough controlling, egotistic, alcoholics to know all I need to know about him.
What I really enjoyed about this book was the relationships and how real they were. Fowler writes relationships as they are: messy, complicated, difficult to maintain and put up with, but nonetheless worthwhile in doing so. The book starts off as a fast-paced, whirlwind of life and emotions, and we watch the relationship evolve as the years go by into a slow rot of self-destruction and depression - all themes I relate with on a deeply personal level.
There were times when I felt the author was probably skipping events in the life of the couple, events that may have been of some import. But it's unrealistic to expect an entire life to be written in these pages as it is not a biography. Regardless, I was never bored, and only ever mildly disappointed.
My efforts of reading books with women protagonist, written by female authors has paid off well in this one.
What I really enjoyed about this book was the relationships and how real they were. Fowler writes relationships as they are: messy, complicated, difficult to maintain and put up with, but nonetheless worthwhile in doing so. The book starts off as a fast-paced, whirlwind of life and emotions, and we watch the relationship evolve as the years go by into a slow rot of self-destruction and depression - all themes I relate with on a deeply personal level.
There were times when I felt the author was probably skipping events in the life of the couple, events that may have been of some import. But it's unrealistic to expect an entire life to be written in these pages as it is not a biography. Regardless, I was never bored, and only ever mildly disappointed.
My efforts of reading books with women protagonist, written by female authors has paid off well in this one.
samnetzband's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
akasitz's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
thebradking's review against another edition
5.0
As a long-time fan of [a:F. Scott Fitzgerald|3190|F. Scott Fitzgerald|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1517864008p2/3190.jpg], I was long overdue to learn about his life through different eyes. [a:Therese Anne Fowler|6521646|Therese Anne Fowler|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1552058369p2/6521646.jpg]'s [b:Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald|15994634|Z A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald|Therese Anne Fowler|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1396815892l/15994634._SX50_.jpg|21763986] was a heartbreaking tale that traced the Fitzgerald's slow decent into misery as F. Scott chased his white whale: literary fame and respect.
[a:Zelda Fitzgerald|28243|Zelda Fitzgerald|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1427041106p2/28243.jpg]'s life begins with promise. Born to a wealthy family, she defies so many of the social expectations of her day (much to the chagrin of her father and the silent delight of her mother). And it's her desire to live a big life that brings her to F. Scott, whom she loves, and sweeps her out of home in the South.
It's when she leaves that her life begins to turn. Ever so slowly, we watch as F. Scott tamps down on Zelda's desire to write, and dance, and paint by promising her that soon (when he's rich) she will have everything she needs and wants. And so we watch as Zelda—against her better judgment—follows her husband's wishes and becomes pained (both physically and psychologically).
Ultimately, the message that any of us can so easily lose who we are—even a fiery spirit like Zelda—if we aren't careful. (Since my initial attachment was to F. Scott, I also had to watch as my literary hero purposefully, and without self-awareness, did this to Zelda.) Those two ideas—that we can lose ourselves and through our actions we can cause others to lose themselves—haunted me through the last sections of the book.
[a:Zelda Fitzgerald|28243|Zelda Fitzgerald|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1427041106p2/28243.jpg]'s life begins with promise. Born to a wealthy family, she defies so many of the social expectations of her day (much to the chagrin of her father and the silent delight of her mother). And it's her desire to live a big life that brings her to F. Scott, whom she loves, and sweeps her out of home in the South.
It's when she leaves that her life begins to turn. Ever so slowly, we watch as F. Scott tamps down on Zelda's desire to write, and dance, and paint by promising her that soon (when he's rich) she will have everything she needs and wants. And so we watch as Zelda—against her better judgment—follows her husband's wishes and becomes pained (both physically and psychologically).
Ultimately, the message that any of us can so easily lose who we are—even a fiery spirit like Zelda—if we aren't careful. (Since my initial attachment was to F. Scott, I also had to watch as my literary hero purposefully, and without self-awareness, did this to Zelda.) Those two ideas—that we can lose ourselves and through our actions we can cause others to lose themselves—haunted me through the last sections of the book.
erynschlo4's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
bibliotequeish's review against another edition
4.0
Zelda Fitzgerald.
I was expecting a beautiful courting between her and F. Scott Fitzgerald filled with glamour and parties, and while there was some, it was actually a really sad story.
I felt for Zelda as we saw her repeatedly trampled on, forced to stifle her brilliance to let Fitzgerald shine.
This is a great read for anyone interested in the Fitzgerald’s.
I was expecting a beautiful courting between her and F. Scott Fitzgerald filled with glamour and parties, and while there was some, it was actually a really sad story.
I felt for Zelda as we saw her repeatedly trampled on, forced to stifle her brilliance to let Fitzgerald shine.
This is a great read for anyone interested in the Fitzgerald’s.
clairejumps's review against another edition
4.0
really don’t like f scott fitzgerald after reading this- end sexism fr
passionatereader78's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Enjoyable read! I liked the overall writing. I loved the young Zelda and her carefree lifestyle. By the end of the book I didn't like the way Scott treated Zelda.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Classism, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Mental illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Grief, and Infidelity
Minor: Death of parent, Drug abuse, Suicide, Toxic friendship, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual content, and Terminal illness